Solar PV Analysis of Sursee, Switzerland
Sursee, Lucerne, Switzerland is a fairly good location for generating solar energy year-round, but it's not perfect. The amount of electricity you can expect to generate from each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar panels varies with the seasons.
In summer, you can expect about 5.71 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for each kW of installed solar panels. This output drops to around 2.99 kWh/day in autumn and further decreases to only about 1.52 kWh/day in winter due to shorter daylight hours and lower sun intensity during these months. However, production picks back up in spring with an average daily output of around 4.85 kWh per kW.
So if we're talking about the best times of year for generating solar power at this location, summer and spring are definitely your prime seasons because they provide more sunlight hours and greater sun intensity compared to autumn and winter.
For installation at this location, tilting your fixed panel installation towards the South at an angle of approximately 40 degrees will help maximize total yearly production from your photovoltaic (PV) system - that's a fancy term for the technology used in converting sunlight directly into electricity.
As far as local factors that could potentially impede solar production at this location go, there might be some issues related mainly to weather conditions such as snowfall or cloud cover which are common during winter months in Switzerland; these reduce sunlight availability hence affecting energy generation efficiency.
To mitigate against these potential issues when installing your PV system:
1) Choose high-quality panels designed specifically for cold climates – they perform better under low light conditions.
2) Regularly clean off any accumulated snow on the panels so that it doesn't block out sunlight.
3) Install a monitoring system so you can keep track of how much energy is being produced by your PV system – any significant drop might indicate a problem like excessive snow build-up or malfunctioning equipment that needs to be addressed.
In conclusion, while Sursee is not the perfect location for solar energy generation due to seasonal variations and weather conditions, with proper installation and maintenance practices, it could still serve as a viable site for a solar PV system.
Note: The Northern Temperate Zone extends from 35° latitude North up to 66.5° latitude.
So far, we have conducted calculations to evaluate the solar photovoltaic (PV) potential in 245 locations across Switzerland. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.
Link: Solar PV potential in Switzerland by location
Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Sursee
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 47.1662, Longitude: 8.1266 (Sursee, Switzerland), based on our analysis of 8760 hourly intervals of solar and meteorological data (one whole year) retrieved for that set of coordinates/location from NASA POWER (The Prediction of Worldwide Energy Resources) API:
Ideally tilt fixed solar panels 40° South in Sursee, Switzerland
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Sursee, Switzerland (Lat/Long 47.1662, 8.1266) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 40° South for fixed panel installations.
As the Earth revolves around the Sun each year, the maximum angle of elevation of the Sun varies by +/- 23.45 degrees from its equinox elevation angle for a particular latitude. Finding the exact optimal angle to maximise solar PV production throughout the year can be challenging, but with careful consideration of historical solar energy and meteorological data for a certain location, it can be done precisely.
We use our own calculation, which incorporates NASA solar and meteorological data for the exact Lat/Long coordinates, to determine the ideal tilt angle of a solar panel that will yield maximum annual solar output. We calculate the optimal angle for each day of the year, taking into account its contribution to the yearly total PV potential at that specific location.
Seasonally adjusted solar panel tilt angles for Sursee, Switzerland
If you can adjust the tilt angle of your solar PV panels, please refer to the seasonal tilt angles below for optimal solar energy production in Sursee, Switzerland. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 40° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30° South in Summer | 50° South in Autumn | 61° South in Winter | 39° South in Spring |
Our recommendations take into account more than just latitude and Earth's position in its elliptical orbit around the Sun. We also incorporate historical solar and meteorological data from NASA's Prediction of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) API to assign a weight to each ideal angle for each day based on its historical contribution to overall solar PV potential during a specific season.
This approach allows us to provide much more accurate recommendations than relying solely on latitude, as it considers unique weather conditions in different locations sharing the same latitude worldwide.
Calculate solar panel row spacing in Sursee, Switzerland
We've added a feature to calculate minimum solar panel row spacing by location. Enter your panel size and orientation below to get the minimum spacing in Sursee, Switzerland.
Our calculation method
- Solar Position:
We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination. - Shadow Projection:
We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle. - Minimum Spacing:
We add the shadow length to the horizontal space occupied by tilted panels.
This approach ensures maximum space efficiency while avoiding shading during critical times, as the Winter solstice represents the worst-case scenario for shadow length.
Topography for solar PV around Sursee, Switzerland
Sursee is located in the canton of Lucerne, central Switzerland. The topography around Sursee is characterized by a mix of flat and hilly terrain. It lies on the Swiss plateau between two mountain ranges, the Jura and the Alps. It's also near Lake Sempach which could influence local microclimates.
The region experiences a temperate climate with moderate to heavy seasonal rainfall throughout the year. This might not make it an ideal location for large-scale solar PV installations as compared to other sunnier regions.
However, if considering local factors, flatter areas would be more suitable for large-scale solar PV installations due to ease of installation and maintenance. Areas with southern exposure (facing towards the equator) would receive more sunlight throughout the year making them desirable locations as well.
Also, rooftops of larger buildings or warehouses in industrial areas could be potential sites for smaller scale solar PV systems. These can take advantage of existing structures without requiring additional land use changes or causing potential environmental impacts from ground-mounted systems.
Before any decision is made on installing a large-scale solar PV system though, detailed site assessments including solar irradiance studies should be conducted to determine feasibility and optimize design for maximum efficiency.
Switzerland solar PV Stats as a country
Switzerland ranks 25th in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 3,449 total MW's of solar PV installed. This means that 4.70% of Switzerland's total energy as a country comes from solar PV (that's 16th in the world). Each year Switzerland is generating 399 Watts from solar PV per capita (Switzerland ranks 6th in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]
Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in Switzerland?
Yes, there are several incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in Switzerland. The Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE) offers a range of financial support measures for businesses that want to invest in renewable energy sources such as solar power. These include grants, loans and tax deductions. Additionally, the Swiss government has set up a feed-in tariff system which guarantees a fixed price for electricity generated from renewable sources such as solar power. This helps to make investing in solar energy more attractive for businesses.
Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in Switzerland? Please reach out to us and help us keep this information current. Thanks!
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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Saturday 15th of June 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
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Compare this location to others worldwide for solar PV potential
The solar PV analyses available on our website, including this one, are offered as a free service to the global community. Our aim is to provide education and aid informed decision-making regarding solar PV installations.
However, please note that these analyses are general guidance and may not meet specific project requirements. For in-depth, tailored forecasts and analysis crucial for feasibility studies or when pursuing maximum ROI from your solar projects, feel free to contact us; we offer comprehensive consulting services expressly for this purpose.
Helping you assess viability of solar PV for your site
Calculate Your Optimal Solar Panel Tilt Angle: A Comprehensive Guide
Enhance your solar panel's performance with our in-depth guide. Determine the best tilt angle using hard data, debunk common misunderstandings, and gain insight into how your specific location affects solar energy production.
